We had some great reaction in the blogosphere to the poll. The American Bar Association Law Journal "Law News Now" picked up the story with an article called "How Did Music Education Influence Your Life, Career?" The comments posted by lawyers are revealing and gratifying! (Thanks to former MENC staffer PK for the heads up on that article.)
I was very excited to go on Capitol Hill visits last Tuesday. MENC and Steven Van Zandt were checking in with important decision makers (Edward Kennedy, Mitch McConnell) to encourage them to consider our requests for the NCLB reauthorization and to tell them about Steven's music education foundation and curriculum plans. Steven was stopped by staffers, security guards and Senators at every turn, and it was cool to be in the halls of Congress, where I had not been since a stint as an intern many, many, many years ago.
I enjoyed spending some time with MENC member Joe Pignato, who is writing the curriculum for "Little Steven's Rock & Roll High School," and Warren Zanes, musician, educator and head of Steven's Rock & Roll Forever Foundation. Both very interesting fellows. That's Joe on the left, Warren on the right, as we made our way through a Senators' lunch gathering.
Here's a photo from our meeting with the two Senators from New Jersey. Lots of professional photogs and reporters. You can see fellow blogger CW, MENC Deputy Executive Director MB, Warren Zanes, and Joe Pignato behind NJ Senator Robert Menendez and Steven Van Zandt.
Now I'm back in the office trying meet a million deadlines before we break for Thanksgiving. I'll leave you with more music education in the media! MENC staffer LB alerted me to the following and I thought you might find it interesting. In Frank Deford's segment on NPR's Morning Edition last week, he mentioned that he had been criticized for suggesting that sport should be held in the same high regard as art. He shared some of the more restrained comments he received. We wonder if any of them were from MENC members?
Onward! -- EWL
